Scheduling conflict means postponement of deputy’s hearing

Because of a scheduling conflict, a pre-trial hearing in the case against a sheriff's deputy was continued Thursday afternoon in Leavenworth County District Court.

Robert L. Peterman, a Leavenworth County sheriff's deputy, is charged in district court with vehicular homicide. The misdemeanor charge stems from Peterman's alleged role in the Dec. 29 death of Jared Moore, a 19-year-old volunteer firefighter with Fairmount Township Fire Department.

A spokesperson for the Leavenworth County district attorney's office said the Thursday hearing was delayed because Peterman's attorney, Kiann McBratney of Kansas City, Kan., could not attend. McBratney was scheduled to be in court in a different county at the time of the Leavenworth County hearing, the spokesperson said.

A new date has not yet been scheduled.

On Thursday, attorneys in the case, McBratney and Leavenworth County prosecutor Frank Kohl, were to file motions and determine whether a jury trial would be necessary in the case. A trial date also would have been scheduled.

On Dec. 29, Peterman's patrol car collided with Moore's civilian vehicle at the intersection of 155th Street and Donahoo Road. Both public servants were on their way to the scene of an injury accident.

Moore died as result of injures sustained in the crash. After reviewing a Kansas Highway Patrol investigation report, the district attorney's office filed charges against Peterman, who has been placed on leave without pay from the sheriff's department.